U.S. patent application number 16/097548 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for fan control.
The applicant listed for this patent is HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT L.P.. Invention is credited to Hsin Chang Lu.
Application Number | 20190155348 16/097548 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60159890 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190155348 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lu; Hsin Chang |
May 23, 2019 |
FAN CONTROL
Abstract
Examples described herein relate to fan control. For example,
operating a computing device includes storing data on a data
storage device of the computing device and controlling a fan of the
computing device based on throughput of the data storage
device.
Inventors: |
Lu; Hsin Chang; (Taipei,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT L.P. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60159890 |
Appl. No.: |
16/097548 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
April 29, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/030027 |
371 Date: |
October 29, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/206 20130101;
G05B 15/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/20 20060101
G06F001/20; G05B 15/02 20060101 G05B015/02 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a computing device, comprising: storing
data on a data storage device of the computing device; and
controlling a fan of the computing device, the controlling
comprising altering the revolution per minute (RPM) of the fan
based on throughput of the data storage device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage device comprises
a hard disk drive (HDD), wherein controlling comprises controlling
the RPM of the fan as a function of temperature, and wherein the
altering of the RPM based on the throughput of the HDD overrides
the controlling of the RPM of the fan that is based on
temperature.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein altering the RPM of the fan based
on throughput of the HDD comprises reducing the RPM of the fan in
response to degradation of the throughput of the HDD.
4. The method of claim 2, comprising cooling the computing device
with the fan, wherein the altering the RPM based on the throughput
of the HDD comprises reducing the RPM in response to throughput of
the HDD degraded by more than 25%.
5. The method of claim 1, comprising cooling the data storage
device with the fan, wherein the controlling comprises adjusting
the RPM of the fan as a function of at least one of temperature in
the computing device or of temperature of the HDD.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling comprises
adjusting the RPM of the fan based on at least one of temperature
in the computing device or on temperature of the data storage
device, wherein altering the RPM of the fan as a function of
throughput of the data storage device is higher priority than the
adjusting of the RPM based on at least one of temperature in the
computing device or on temperature of the data storage device.
7. A computing device comprising: a fan; a data storage device; a
processor; and memory storing code executable by the processor to
control the fan as a function of throughput of the data storage
device.
8. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the data storage device
comprises a hard disk drive (HDD), and wherein to control the fan
as a function of throughput of the HDD comprises to reduce the
revolutions per minute (RPM) of the fan in response to degradation
of the throughput of the HDD.
9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein to reduce the RPM in
response to a reduction in throughput of the HDD overrides
controlling of the RPM of the fan based on temperature.
10. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the HDD comprises
multiple HDDs, and the fan comprises multiple fans.
11. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the fan is to cool the
data storage device.
12. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the data storage
device comprises the memory.
13. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising
instructions that direct a processor to alter the revolution per
minute (RPM) of a fan of a computing device based on throughput of
a hard disk drive (HDD) of the computing device, wherein to alter
the RPM based on the throughput of the HDD overrides control of the
RPM of the fan based on temperature.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein to alter the
RPM of the fan based on throughput of the HDD comprises to reduce
the RPM of the fan in response to degradation of the throughput of
the HDD.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein to alter the
RPM of the fan based on throughput of the HDD comprises to reduce
the RPM of the fan in response to a reduction of at least 25% of
the throughput of the HDD.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] One or more rotating fans may be employed in a computing
device to dissipate or remove heat and cool operating components in
the computing device. As computing devices (including servers and
storage systems) grow more powerful so do their heat generation.
The processors, graphics cards, memory including random access
memory (RAM), hard disk drives (HDD), etc., and other components in
computers have generally increased in speed and power consumption.
Thus, the amount of heat produced by these components as a
side-effect of normal operation has generally increased. These
components should typically be kept within a specified temperature
range to avoid overheating, instability, malfunction, and damage
that would lead to a shortened component lifespan.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] Certain exemplary embodiments are described in the following
detailed description and in reference to the drawings, in
which:
[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing device having a fan
and a data storage device (e.g., hard disk drive or HDD) in
accordance with examples;
[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computing device having fans
and hard disk drives in accordance with examples;
[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a method of operating computing
device including controlling a fan of a computing device in
accordance with examples;
[0006] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a tangible,
non-transitory, computer-readable medium that stores code
configured to direct a processor to control a fan of a computing
device in accordance with examples.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0007] Examples of the present techniques related generally to
control of one or more fans in a computing device, and to reducing
or avoiding throughput degradation of a hard disk drive (HDD) of
the computing device caused by vibration of the fan. Indeed, some
embodiments are generally directed to self-tuned or smart thermal
fan-speed control for reduction or prevention of degradation of
throughput of one or more HDDs of a computing device. Examples give
a system and method of controlling a fan in a computing device,
including determining data-rate throughput of a hard drive in the
computing device, and reducing a rotational speed of the fan in the
computing device in response to a reduction in the data-rate
throughput of the hard drive.
[0008] Fan vibration which may be correlative with fan speed may
degrade (reduce) HDD throughput. In response, the present technique
reduces fan speed in response to a reduction of data-rate
throughput of a HDD. To avoid or reduce degradation of HDD
throughput caused by fan vibration, some conservative approaches
may cap fan speed proactively even though HDD throughput is not
degrading. However, the present technique may reduce fan speed
dynamically based on level of HDD throughput degradation. A level
of HDD throughput degradation can be determined by calculating
current HDD throughput read by a RAID controller, for instance. As
for a particular example of fan control, fan speed may be
overridden and reduced when level of HDD throughput degraded more
than 25% for instance.
[0009] The technology may involve instructions overriding current
system fan speed, with the overriding instructions based on level
of HDD throughput degradation. Fan speed control instructions may
work generally based on temperature margin of each component in the
computing device. However, in accordance with the present
techniques, the instructions (code, logic) may override the control
based on temperature margin such that the control is also based on
level of HDD throughput degradation (e.g., including when a system
fan is at high speed).
[0010] In view of dense growth on a server, the speed of server
system fan may be increased to increase thermal capacity but such
increase in speed may induce fan vibration deprecating HDD
throughput. Embodiments create instructions (function, procedure,
code, logic, etc.) that override typical system fan speed
controlled by temperature, with the overriding instructions based
on level of HDD throughput degradation dynamically.
[0011] Moreover, while the discussion herein may generally focused
on fans (in computers), the techniques may also apply to air mover
devices other than fans in the computing device, and to pumps that
circulate liquid for liquid cooling of the computing device.
Indeed, the present techniques may apply to cooling system devices
generally in the computing system in which cooling system device
vibration (or other adverse impact) may result in degradation or
reduction of HDD throughput. The techniques may adjust (based on
HDD throughput) the speed or operation of air movers in the
computing device other than fans, the speed or operation of a
liquid cooling circulating pump, and/or the operation of cooling
system devices generally.
[0012] In examples, maximum fan speed is not capped for all
circumstances to avoid HDD throughout degradation caused by fan
vibration. Indeed, a conservative technique of capping maximum fan
speed in all circumstances (including when the HDD throughput is
not degraded) may unnecessarily limit thermal capacity. For HDD
throughput degraded prevention or reduction, capping the maximum
fan speed (e.g., at 80%) across the board may needlessly limit
thermal capability. The level of capping maximum fan speed may be
determined by corner case which means particular drive at
particular HDD bay and such capping is not needed for most actual
cases. Embodiments can resume thermal capacity in actual cases.
[0013] In sum, fan speed control may work based on temperature
margin of each component. Examples of the present techniques add
executable code for the fan control scheme that override such
control, with the additional control based on level of HDD
throughput degradation (including when the system fan is at high
speed, for instance). Level of HDD throughput degradation can be
determined dynamically by calculating current HDD throughput read,
for example, by a RAID controller referring to throughput when
qualifying this HDD. System fan speed may be overridden and reduced
when level of HDD throughput degraded more than 25% in some
examples.
[0014] The data-rate transfer speed or throughput of a data storage
device (e.g., HDD) may be the capability (e.g., in megabyte per
second or MB/s) of the data transfer of the HDD. The
above-discussed control system overrides fan speed to reduce the
fan speed if the HDD throughput degrades or reduces by a threshold
amount. If that threshold amount is say 25% in an arbitrary
example, and if the capability or maximum (or standard) throughput
of the HDD is say 200 MB/s in then arbitrary example, then the fan
speed will be reduced (say to 80% of maximum fan speed) when the
throughput of the HDD drops to below 150 MB/s.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a computing device 100 having a fan 102 and a data
storage device 104 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state
drive (SSD), and/or other type of storage device. The computing
device 100 may include more than one fan 102 and more than one data
storage device 104, e.g., more than one HDD. Moreover, as indicated
above, the fan 102 is given as an example and may represent a
cooling system device generally of the computing device 100.
Cooling system devices of the computing device 100 may include to
air movers other than fans, and also pumps that circulate liquid
for liquid cooling of the computing device 100, and so on. Indeed,
the one or more fans 102 may be given as an example of cooling
system devices generally in the computing device 100 in which
cooling system device vibration (or adverse impact other than
vibration) may result in degradation or reduction of HDD throughput
of the computing device 100.
[0016] A HDD, hard disk, hard drive, or fixed disk may be a data
storage device that stores (and provides access to) digital
information using one or more rigid ("hard") rapidly rotating disks
(platters) coated with magnetic material. The platters may be
paired with magnetic heads arranged on a moving actuator arm, which
read and write data to the platter surfaces. Data may be accessed
in a random-access manner, meaning that individual blocks of data
can be stored or retrieved in any order and not only sequentially.
HDDs are typically nonvolatile memory, retaining stored data even
when powered off. HDD manufacturers include Seagate, Toshiba,
Western Digital, and others.
[0017] Characteristics of an HDD may include capacity and
performance. Capacity may be specified in terabytes (TB), for
instance. Performance may be specified by the time required to move
the heads to a track or cylinder (average access time) plus the
time it takes for the desired sector to move under the head
(average latency, which is a function of the physical rotational
speed in revolutions per minute), and finally, the speed at which
the data is transmitted (data rate). HDDs may be connected to
systems by standard interface cables such as PATA (Parallel ATA),
SATA (Serial ATA), USB or SAS (Serial attached SCSI) cables, and
others.
[0018] The data transfer rate throughput of a data storage device
such as a HDD drive may relate to the internal rate (moving data
between the disk surface and the controller on the drive) and the
external rate (moving data between the controller on the drive and
the host system). The measurable data transfer rate may be the
lower (slower) of the two rates. The sustained data transfer rate
or sustained throughput of a drive may be the lower of the
sustained internal and sustained external rates. The sustained rate
may be less than or equal to the maximum or burst rate because
typically the sustained rate may not benefit of cache or buffer
memory in the drive. The internal rate may be further determined by
the media rate, sector overhead time, head switch time, and
cylinder switch time. Some of these factors may not be applicable
to SSDs.
[0019] One or more fans 102 may dissipate heat and cool operating
components in the computing device. Such a computer fan 102 may be
inside and/or attached to housing of the computing device and give
active cooling. Fans may draw cooler air into the housing from
outside the housing, expel warm air from inside the housing, move
air across an operating component of the computing device to cool
the component, and/or move across a heat sink in the computing
device to cool the computing device or particular component of the
computing device, and so on. Generally, these fans may be in axial
and sometimes centrifugal forms, or other forms.
[0020] Operating components of the computing devices may benefit
from active cooling. To cool these components, fans may move heated
air away from the components and draw cooler air over them.
Functional specifications of the fan 102 may include airflow in
cubic feet per minute (CFM), and static pressure, and the like.
Moreover, the fan noise or sound (in decibels) can be a variable.
Further, the speed of rotation (e.g., revolutions per minute or
RPM) together with the static pressure may determine the airflow
for a given fan.
[0021] Fans may be controlled via sensors and circuits (and
executable code) that reduce fan speed when temperature is not
high, leading to quieter operation, longer life, and lower power
consumption than fixed-speed fans. Fan lifetimes may be quoted
under the assumption of running at maximum speed and at a fixed
ambient temperature in some instances. A fan 102 as a HDD fan may
be mounted adjacent or onto a HDD.
[0022] With on/off fan control, the fan is generally either on or
off. On the other hand, the speed of the fan 102 may be variable
between full speed (maximum rpm) and off (zero rpm). Pulse-width
modulation (PWM) is a common method of controlling computer fans.
Typically, a fan can be driven between about 30% and 100% of the
rated fan speed, using a signal with up to 100% duty cycle. Other
ranges are applicable. Computing device firmware and software may
regulate these fans based on processor and computer case
temperatures, and other factors. Again, computer cooling may remove
the waste heat produced by computer components, to keep components
within permissible operating temperature limits. Components
susceptible to temporary malfunction or failure if overheated
include integrated circuits such as central processing units
(CPUs), chipsets, graphics cards, and hard disk drives. Attention
to patterns of airflow can reduce the development of hotspots.
Moreover, one or more of the fans 102 may be employed with
heatsinks to reduce temperature by actively exhausting hot air.
[0023] Cooling may be designed to reduce the ambient temperature
within the case of a computer e.g. by exhausting hot air, or to
cool a single component or small area (spot cooling), and the like.
Components individually cooled may include the CPU, graphics
processing unit (GPU), chipset, HDD, and so forth. Integrated
circuits (e.g., CPU and GPU) can be significant generators of heat
in computers. Heat generation can be reduced by design and
selection of operating parameters such as voltage and frequency of
the operating components in the computer, but acceptable
performance may be promoted by managing (dissipating) heat
generation via a fan, for instance.
[0024] In operation, the temperature of a computer's components may
rise until the heat transferred to the surroundings is equal to the
heat produced by the component, that is, when thermal equilibrium
is reached. For reliable operation, the temperature should
generally never exceed a specified maximum permissible value for
each component. Because high temperatures can significantly reduce
life span or cause damage to components, and the heat output of
components can sometimes exceed the computer's cooling capacity,
manufacturers often take additional precautions such that
temperatures generally remain within desired limits. In some
examples, a computer with thermal sensors integrated in the CPU,
motherboard, chipset, or GPU can shut itself down when high
temperatures are detected to prevent or reduce damage.
[0025] Fans may be employed because natural convection may be
insufficient to remove adequate heat. As indicated, fans may be
fitted to the computer case and/or associated with components such
as CPUs, GPUs, chipset, PSU, hard drives, or as cards plugged into
an expansion slot. Server cooling fans in (1 U) enclosures may be
located in the middle of the enclosure, between the hard drives at
the front and passive CPU heat sinks at the rear, for example.
Larger (higher) enclosures also have exhaust fans, and from
approximately 4 U they may have active heat sinks. Power supplies
may have their own rear-facing exhaust fans. Many other
configurations are applicable.
[0026] Various code may be executed by a processor to direct the
computing device to read computer fan speeds, computer component
temperatures, computer interior temperature, computer HDD
throughput and throughput degradation, and the like, and also
change computer fan speeds depending on the temperature of various
components, and other factors. This code may direct the computing
device to display system variables. In some examples, configurable
user events can be defined to execute specific actions based on
system status. Moreover, as indicated, the code may be executed by
a processor to direct the computing device to alter or adjust
(based on HDD throughput) the speed or operation of air movers in
the computing device 100 other than fans, the speed a liquid
cooling circulating pump, and/or the operation of cooling system
components generally.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the computing device 100
includes code 106 (e.g., instructions, logic, etc.) store in memory
108 and executable by a processor 110. The memory 108 may include
volatile memory (e.g., RAM, cache, etc.), nonvolatile memory (e.g.,
read-only memory or ROM, etc.), firmware, and so forth. Further,
the computing device 100 may include more than one processor 110,
and each processor 110 may include multiple cores.
[0028] Moreover, the memory 108 and the processor 110 may be part
of or coupled to an integrated circuit or control board 112,
depending on the application or other factors. Also, the various
components of the computing device 100 may be disposed inside an
enclosure or housing 114. In some example, components such as the
data storage device 104 (e.g., HDD) may be disposed outside of the
housing 114.
[0029] The code 106, or other executable code associated with the
computing device 100, may provide for control of the fan 102 and
other fans in the computing device 100. In operation, the fan 102
may cool the computing device generally and/or the data storage
device 104, for example. The fans (and their rotating speed in RPM)
in the computing device 100 may be controlled via the code 104 or
other code as a function of temperature in the computing device
100, the temperature margins between component temperatures and the
temperature in the computing device 100, and the throughput of the
data storage device 104. Moreover, in some examples, the fan 102 in
operation may cool a data storage device 104.
[0030] In sum, the computing device 100 may include one or more
fans 102, one or more data storage devices 104 (e.g., HDD, SSD,
etc.), a processor 110, and memory 108 storing code 106 executable
by the processor to control speed of the fan 102 at least as a
function of throughput of the data storage device 104. In certain
embodiments, a device storage 104 is the memory 108 and stores the
code 106. On the other hand, the code 106 may be stored as firmware
on a circuit board, controller, or storage controller such as a
RAID (redundant array of inexpensive disks) controller.
[0031] Further, portions of the code 106 may be stored in memory in
different location or of different controllers. For example, a
first portion of the code 106 that reads or determines HDD
throughput and compares the throughput to a threshold may be stored
or associated with a different location or controller than a second
portion of the code 106 that directs adjustment of the fan 102
speed.
[0032] In an example, to control the fan 102 as a function of
throughput of the data storage device 104 reduces the RPM of the
fan 102 (e.g., to 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc. of maximum RPM) in
response to degradation of the throughput of the data storage
device 104. To reduce the RPM in response to a reduction in
throughput of the data storage device 104 may override controlling
of the RPM of the fan 102 that is based on temperature, e.g.,
temperature in the computing device 100, temperature of components
of the computing device, a temperature margin between computing
device 100 interior temperature and component temperature, and so
forth.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a computing device 200 having at least four HDDs
202, 204, 206, and 208, and at least three fans 210, 212, and 214
(e.g., axial fans). In operation, the fans 210, 212, and/or 214 may
cool the computing device 200 and/or the HDDs 202, 204, 206, and
208. Further, the computing device 200 may include at least one
temperature sensor 216, e.g., thermocouple, resistance temperature
device (RTD), thermistor, infrared thermometers, etc., to measure
the ambient temperature inside (interior) of the computing device
200. Such an ambient temperature measurement value may be input to
control of speed of the fans. The computing device may also have a
temperature sensor (not shown) for each HDD 202, 206, 208, as well
as temperature sensors for other components such as processors or
CPUs. The measured temperature values of the HDDs 202, 204, 206,
208 and other components, and the temperature difference between
the interior ambient versus the HDDs 202, 204, 206, 208 and other
components, may also be input to a control scheme of the fan 210,
212, and/or 214.
[0034] The computing device 200 includes a circuit board 218 having
at least one processor such as CPUs 220 and 222. Also, the board
218 may include volatile memory 230 such as random access memory
(RAM) or dual in-line memory modules and/or other types of volatile
memory. Further, the board may include PCIe cards such as network
cards, graphics cards, and other type of cards and integrated
circuits.
[0035] In the illustrated example, the circuit board 218 includes a
board level management controller 224 (or similar controller) which
may have memory and a processor (e.g., microprocessor). In certain
examples in operation, the board level management controller may
direct and adjust operation (e.g., rotational speed) of the fans
210, 212, 214. The circuit board 218 may also include an embedded
HDD controller 226 and/or at least one RAID control card
(controller) 228. The embedded HDD controller 226 and each RAID
control card 228 may have memory and their respective processor
(e.g., microprocessor). Further, the embedded HDD controller 226
and/or each RAID control card 228 may be operationally coupled to
the HDDs 202, 206, 208 to direct operation of the HDDs 202, 206,
208.
[0036] Some computing devices 200 may have an embedded HDD
controller 226 but not a RAID controller 228. Other computing
devices 200 may have a RAID controller 228 (e.g., multiple RAID
controllers 228) but not an embedded HDD controller 226. Such may
depend, for example, on the type or complexity of the HDDs 202,
206, 208. It should be noted that while the exemplary FIG. 2
depicts both an embedded HDD controller 226 and a RAID
controller(s) 228, the computing device 200 may typically have the
embedded HDD controller 226 or the RAID controller(s) 228, not both
the controller 226 and the controller(s) 228. On the other hand, if
the board 218 does have both the controller 226 and the
controller(s) 228, as depicted, then either the controller 226 or
the controller(s) 228 may be disconnected and not used.
[0037] The embedded HDD controller 226 and the RAID controller
cards 228 may have executable code 232. Further, the board
management controller 224 (or similar controller) may have
executable code 232A that can associate with the code 232. Code 232
and 232A (e.g., logic, instructions, etc.) may be executed by one
or more processors (e.g., embedded HDD controller 226, RAID
controller 228, board level management controller 224, CPUs 220 and
200, etc.) to control the fans 210, 212, and/or 214 at least as a
function of throughput of the HDDs 202, 206, and/or 208. In certain
examples, such control may provide for control of speed of the fans
210, 212, 214 as a function of throughput of the HDDs 202, 206,
208. In other words, the control may reduce the RPM (e.g., to 40%,
50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc. of maximum RPM) of one or more of the fans
210, 212, 214 in response to degradation of the throughput of one
or more of the HDDs 202, 206, 208. To reduce the RPM in response to
a reduction in throughput of the HDDs 202, 206, 208 may override
controlling of the RPM of one or more of the fans that is based on
temperature. The code 232 and 232A, and associated processors, may
receive as input an indication of data-rate throughput of an HDD
202, 206, 208.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the code 232 is depicted as
stored in memory (e.g., firmware) of the embedded HDD controller
226 and/or the RAID controller 228. The associated code 232A is
depicted as stored in memory (e.g., firmware) of the board level
management controller 224. However, the code 232 and 232A may be
stored in other memory of the computing device 200, and executed by
other controllers or processors.
[0039] In operation in some examples, the code 232 when executed
may direct the controller or processor (e.g., microprocessor,
controller processor, CPU) to read the throughput rate of the HDDs
202, 206, 208, and to determine if the HDDs 202, 206, 208 have (or
are experiencing) a reduction or degradation in throughput. If
degradation is detected via the code 232, the code 232 may then
direct the controller 226 or 228 to compare the reduction in
throughout to a threshold (e.g., a threshold numerical value of 25%
reduction) to decide if speed of one or more of the fans 210, 212,
214 is to be reduced.
[0040] If the degradation has reached the threshold, the code 232
when executed may direct the controller 226 or 228 to instruct, for
example, the board level management controller 224 to reduce the
speed of one or more of the fans 210, 212, 214 (e.g., to lower
to--or cap the speed at -80% of maximum RPM of the fan). Such
control may be dynamic. Further, the board management controller
224 (or similar controller) may include code to control the speed
of the fans 210, 212, 214 as a function of temperature and/or
temperature margin. Again, however, such control based on
temperature may be overridden by instruction to lower or cap fan
speed based on HDD throughput.
[0041] Moreover, the code 232 may include the throughput reduction
threshold value (e.g., 25%) store in the memory or firmware of the
controller 226 or 228. In some examples, the code 232 when executed
may provide for a user-input of the threshold value. Similarly, the
code 232A may include what the fan speed value (e.g., 80% of
maximum RPM) is to be reduced or capped stored in memory or
firmware of the controller 228, and such may also be user-input in
particular examples. Other configurations are applicable.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a method 300 of operating a computing device. At
block 302, the computing device stores data on at least one data
storage device (e.g., HDD, SSD, etc.) of the computing device. At
block 304, the computing device controls at least one fan of the
computing device, so to cool the computing device and/or to cool
components (e.g., processors, the data storage device, etc.) of the
computing device. The control may be based on temperature. Indeed,
in the cooling the of the computing device and/data storage device
with the fan, wherein the controlling comprises adjusting the RPM
of the fan as a function of at least one of temperature in the
computing device or of temperature of the HDD.
[0043] However, as indicated in block 306, the control may alter
the RPM of the fan based on (as a function of) throughput of the
data storage device. The throughput or disk transfer rate
(sometimes called media rate) may be the speed at which data is
transferred to and from the disk media (disk platter) and can be
generally described in megabytes per second (MB/s). The method 300
may include determining the throughput of the data storage
device.
[0044] In some examples, the RPM of the fan may be controlled as a
function of temperature, and wherein the altering of the RPM based
on the throughput of the HDD overrides the controlling of the RPM
of the fan based on temperature. The altering of the RPM of the fan
as a function of throughput of the HDD may include reducing the RPM
of the fan (e.g., to 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc. of maximum RPM)
in response to degradation of the throughput of the HDD. In some
examples, the altering the RPM based on the throughput of the HDD
comprises reducing the RPM in response to throughput of the HDD
degraded by more than at threshold (e.g., by more than a percentage
such as 15%, 20%, 25% 30%, 35%, etc. reduction of throughput).
[0045] The controlling may include adjusting the RPM of the fan
based on at least one of temperature in the computing device or on
temperature of the data storage device, and/or on a temperature
margin between the measured ambient temperature in the interior of
the computer device housing versus measured temperature of
components such as the data storage devices, processors (e.g.,
CPUs), etc. The altering the RPM of the fan as a function of
throughput of the data storage device may be higher priority than
the adjusting of the RPM based on at least one of temperature in
the computing device or on temperature of the data storage device,
or on other temperatures or temperature margins.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a tangible,
non-transitory, computer-readable medium that stores code including
fan control code for a computing device to control one or more fans
of the computing, e.g., to control the RPM of the fan, such based
on throughput of a disk storage device (e.g., HDD) of the computing
device. The computer-readable medium is referred to by the
reference number 400. The computer-readable medium 400 can include
RAM, a hard disk drive, an array of hard disk drives, an optical
drive, an array of optical drives, a non-volatile memory, a flash
drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), or a compact disk (CD),
among others. The computer-readable medium 400 may be accessed by a
processor 402 over a computer bus 404. Furthermore, as indicated,
the computer-readable medium 400 may include code configured to
perform the methods and techniques described herein. The various
software components discussed herein may be stored on the
computer-readable medium 400. A portion 406 of the
computer-readable medium 400 can include fan control code, as
mentioned. The code in portion 406 may be analogous to the code 106
232, and/or 232A discussed above with respect to the preceding
figures.
[0047] An example includes a tangible, non-transitory,
computer-readable medium having code in the portion 406 including
instructions that direct a processor to alter the RPM of a fan of a
computing device based on throughput of a hard disk drive (HDD) of
the computing device, wherein to alter the RPM based on the
throughput of the HDD overrides control of the RPM of the fan based
on temperature. To alter the RPM of the fan based on throughput of
the HDD may include to reduce the RPM of the fan in response to
degradation of the throughput of the HDD. Indeed, to alter the RPM
of the fan (e.g., to 80% of maximum RPM) based on throughput of the
HDD includes to reduce the RPM of the fan in response to a
reduction of, for example, at least 25% of the throughput of the
HDD.
[0048] While the present techniques may be susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, the exemplary examples
discussed above have been shown only by way of example. It is to be
understood that the technique is not intended to be limited to the
particular examples disclosed herein. Indeed, the present
techniques include all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents
falling within the true spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
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